I'm curious... does anyone have specific regulations that would prevent the owner from doing this? Assuming of course that they follow appropriate GMP and SSOP procedures to prevent contamination of food product and restrict the dog to areas that are not used for food production.
From FDA Food Code:
2-403.11 Handling Prohibition.*
(A) Except as specified in & (B) of this section, FOOD EMPLOYEES
may not care for or handle animals that may be present such as
patrol dogs, SERVICE ANIMALS, or pets that are allowed as specified
in Subparagraphs 6-501.115(B)(2)-(5).
(B) FOOD EMPLOYEES with SERVICE ANIMALS may handle or care for
their SERVICE ANIMALS and FOOD EMPLOYEES may handle or care
for FISH in aquariums or MOLLUSCAN SHELLFISH or crustacea in
display tanks if they wash their hands as specified under
' 2-301.12 and & 2-301.14©.
(referenced in above quote)
6-501.115 Prohibiting Animals.
- (A) Except as specified in ¶¶ (B) and © of this section, live animals may not be allowed on the premises of afood establishment. Pf
- (B) Live animals may be allowed in the following situations if the contamination of food; clean equipment,utensils, and linens; and unwrapped single-service and single-use articles can not result:
- (1) Edible fish or decorative fish in aquariums, shellfish or crustacea on ice or under refrigeration, and shellfish and crustacea in display tank systems;
- (2) Patrol dogs accompanying police or security officers in offices and dining, sales, and storage areas, and sentry dogs running loose in outside fenced areas;
- (3) In areas that are not used for food preparation and that are usually open for customers, such as dining and sales areas, service animals that are controlled by the disabled employee or person, if a health or safety hazard will not result from the presence or activities of the service animal;
- (4) Pets in the common dining areas of institutional care facilities such as nursing homes, assisted living facilities, group homes, or residential care facilities at times other than during meals if:
- (a) Effective partitioning and self-closing doors separate the common dining areas from foodstorage or food preparation areas,
- (b) Condiments, equipment, and utensils are stored in enclosed cabinets or removed from the common dining areas when pets are present, and
- © Dining areas including tables, countertops, and similar surfaces are effectively cleaned before the next meal service; and
- (5) In areas that are not used for food preparation, storage, sales, display, or dining, in which there are caged animals or animals that are similarly confined, such as in a variety store that sells pets or a tourist park that displays animals.
- © Live or dead fish bait may be stored if contamination of food; clean equipment, utensils, and linens; and unwrapped single-service and single-use articles can not result.
